Solar in Washington: is it worth it in 2026?
Washington is a slow-payback state: solar works, but it takes well over a decade to earn back what you paid. Three things decide that: electricity here is among the cheapest in the country (43rd most expensive of 51), it gets less sun than most states (50th of 51), and exported power earns full retail credit. Of the 51 states and DC, Washington has the 36th-fastest payback for a typical home.
The average home here pays about $124 a month for 945 kWh. A 9.5 kW system sized for that home would knock about $1,361 off the first year's bills, 91% of the total.
Checked November 12, 2026
What makes solar pay off in Washington
- Size the system to cover your yearly use. With full net metering, power you export is worth as much as power you use, so timing matters less than in most states.
- Cheap power stretches payback. At 13.2¢ per kWh, the price you pay matters more than anything. At $3.34 per watt, the high end of what companies quote, payback for a typical system here stretches to 21 years.
- Less sun means more panels. Each kW makes about 1,088 kWh a year, so check that the quote's production estimate isn't borrowed from a sunnier state.
Payback by system size
An average Washington home uses about 11,340 kWh a year. Here's how systems sized to cover part or all of that work out, bought with cash at $2.57 per watt:
| Covers | Size | Price | Makes a year | Payback | 25-year savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48% | 5 kW | $12,850 | 5,440 kWh | 19 years | $7,437 |
| 77% | 8 kW | $20,560 | 8,704 kWh | 18 years | $13,474 |
| 101% | 10.5 kW | $26,985 | 11,424 kWh | 17 years | $18,494 |
| 125% | 13 kW | $33,410 | 14,144 kWh | 19 years | $17,119 |
The 10.5 kW system has both the fastest payback and the most savings. Assumes exported power earns full credit, prices rise 2.5% a year and one inverter replacement.
How Washington credits power you send to the grid
Full credit (net metering)
Full retail net metering.
By utility
- Puget Sound Energy: 1:1 net metering under Schedule 150, still open to new customers until PSE adopts a replacement; banked credits expire each March 31.
Before you sign in Washington
Check the license. Look the company up with the Washington Labor and Industries: verify a contractor or electrician, by its legal name or license number, and ask for the electrician's license number too.
Solar consumer protection law (2024):
- Your printed contract must include the full terms: financing, warranties and production estimates.
In every state, the FTC Cooling-Off Rule lets you cancel a contract signed at your home until midnight of the third business day.
How to choose a solar company · Contract checklist · Before you sign
Washington compared with its neighbors
| State | Electricity | kWh per kW | Typical payback | Exported power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 13.2¢ | 1,088 | 17 years | Full credit (net metering) |
| Idaho | 11.8¢ | 1,468 | 24 years | Reduced credit (net billing) |
| Oregon | 15.5¢ | 1,121 | 15 years | Full credit (net metering) |
Questions about solar in Washington
How long does solar take to pay for itself in Washington?
About 17 years for a typical 9.5 kW system bought with cash at the 2026 median price of $2.57 per watt, with no federal tax credit and one inverter replacement. A bigger or smaller system, a different price, or your own usage will change that; the table above shows other sizes.
Does Washington have net metering?
Yes. Full retail net metering.
Is there a solar tax credit in Washington in 2026?
Not from the federal government for buyers: the 30% homeowner credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. For a typical 9.5 kW system in Washington, that credit was worth about $7,325 and brought payback down to 13 years, instead of 17 years now. Leasing companies can still claim a business credit, so ask for a lease or PPA price too. Your state energy office lists any state rebates.
Is a solar battery worth it in Washington?
Not for savings. Washington credits exported power at the full retail rate, and storing power in a battery loses about 10% of it, so a battery saves nothing on the bill. It can still be worth it for backup during outages: a 13.5 kWh battery costs about $15,650 installed in 2026.
Is plug-in solar legal in Washington?
There's no plug-in solar law yet in Washington, so your utility may treat a kit like any rooftop system.
How do I check a solar company's license in Washington?
Look the company up with the Washington Labor and Industries: verify a contractor or electrician (lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/contractors/hiring-a-contractor/verify-contractor-tradesperson-business) by its legal name or license number, and ask for the electrician's license too.
More guides: What changed for solar in 2026 · Lease or buy? · Plug-in solar · Is my solar system working?
Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), final 2025 data: Annual State Historical Spreadsheets (Form EIA-861, released October 7, 2026) and Electric Power Annual (October 21, 2026); NREL PVWatts (National Solar Radiation Database), statewide averages; Solar Energy Nerds: net metering by state, 2026; Puget Sound Energy: customer-connected solar questions; pv magazine: transparency in solar sales; EnergySage: median quoted price, first half of 2026.